The University Grants Commission (UGC) recently issued a notice urging Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to implement guidelines allowing students to pursue two academic courses simultaneously, as outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP). In the notice, UGC Secretary Manish R. Joshi expressed concern that, despite repeated reminders, more than two years have passed, and many universities have yet to offer the dual-course facility to students.
The official notice states, “It has come to the UGC’s attention that many students continue to face challenges enrolling in two academic programmes simultaneously, primarily due to HEIs’ insistence on submitting migration certificates or school-leaving certificates for admission. This requirement limits students’ ability to secure admission to two programmes and undermines the purpose of the guidelines.”
The notice further emphasizes that more than two years have passed since the issuance of these guidelines, and despite multiple reminders, several universities have not facilitated their implementation.
Click here to read the full notice.
UGC guidelines for pursuing two academic programmes simultaneously
The notice issued in April 2022 regarding pursuing two academic programmes simultaneously specifies the following guidelines:
- A student can pursue two full-time academic programmes in physical mode, provided that the class timings of one programme do not overlap with those of the other.
- A student can pursue two academic programmes: one in full-time physical mode and the other in Open and Distance Learning (ODL)/Online mode; or opt for up to two ODL/Online programmes simultaneously.
- Degree or diploma programmes under these guidelines shall be governed by the regulations notified by the UGC and the respective statutory or professional councils, whenever applicable.
- These guidelines came into effect from the date of their notification. No retrospective benefits can be claimed by students who had already pursued two academic programmes simultaneously before the notification.
Click here to read the full notice.
Implementing dual-course facility: What are the challenges?
The dual-course framework aims to provide students with the flexibility to pursue qualifications in diverse fields, enhancing employability and enriching their academic journey. However, while UGC guidelines emphasize enabling dual enrolment without compromising academic quality, several practical challenges have hindered the adoption of this model by universities.
Administrative constraints: A significant barrier is the continued requirement by many universities for migration or school-leaving certificates during the admission process. This policy prevents students from enrolling in more than one institution at the same time, directly opposing the intent of the UGC guidelines and remaining unaddressed in several institutions.
Operational challenges: Universities face practical difficulties, such as synchronizing class schedules to prevent overlaps and providing adequate infrastructure and faculty support for dual-course enrollments. These logistical complexities have significantly delayed the successful rollout of the dual-course framework.
Lack of awareness and preparedness: Some institutions lack awareness of the UGC guidelines or the readiness to overhaul their administrative and academic structures. Essential adjustments, such as aligning policies, curricula, and examination schedules, remain unmet, further stalling progress.
Resistance to change: Resistance to implementing new policies persists in many institutions due to traditional mindsets or concerns about overburdening faculty and infrastructure. This reluctance to deviate from established norms has further hindered the adoption of the dual-course model.
Student awareness and preparedness: Many students are unaware of the option to pursue two academic programmes simultaneously, largely due to insufficient communication of the UGC guidelines. Additionally, the challenges of managing the workload, time demands, and academic rigor of dual courses may discourage students from opting for this facility, even when available.
